Minister Dlamini Zuma to lead SA Delegation to the AU Executive Council Meeting, Accra, Ghana

Pretoria- South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Thursday, 28 June depart for Accra, Ghana, ahead of President Thabo Mbeki, where she will lead a senior South African delegation to the African Union' Executive Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.

The Executive Council meeting will finalise reports and proposals to be ratified by the AU Summit Heads of State and Government scheduled from 1-3 July in Accra. At the centre of the proposal is the issue of the political and economic integration of the continent.

In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma said "the matter of the political and economic integration of the continent is a long standing issue and a historic debate that will not end until we reach destiny

"This was a hotly debated issue during the founding conference of the OAU in Addis Ababa. Eventually it was decided by the founding fathers to form the OAU mainly to unite the African continent, build solidarity among Africans and to free Africa from the yoke of colonialism. The debate, has nonetheless continued throughout the history of our continent as evidenced by the various speeches, writings and debates.

"Today, no one disputes the need for a United Africa in whatever form. We all agree this remains our objective. Indeed the matter of the political and economic integration of Africa, how we can strengthen this integration and unity is an issue will be central to discussions in Ghana" said Minister Dlamini Zuma.

In this context, President Thabo Mbeki will depart for Accra on Saturday 30 June to lead the SA delegation to the AU Summit as well as the African Peer Review Mechanism where South Africa's report will be discussed.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X 152
Pretoria 0001

27 June 2007